View Full Version : Ms Vs Mrs, or is it Miss?
I wonder if it is strictly speaking Ms, or whether the reporter has got it mixed up with Miss. it would be interesting to get these titles in Thai script to check that out - since I am not even sure right now whether there is a Thai equivalent for Ms.
OK! Well, apparently it will be Miss/Ms = Nang Sao, Mrs = Mrs. There doesn't seem to be an actual word for Ms, although it is obviously implied by many. It seems to me that this is a case of a legality catching up with long-conducted practice. I think I am right in saying that many Thai women have long used Nang Sao (Miss, perhaps Ms) while being married, and some will elect for Ms if asked for title and name in English. And in the case of the marriage certificate, it has long been possible for the woman to keep their own surname, while still using the tile Nang (Mrs).
???
Ms? Mrs? now legally a matter a choice in Thailand
BANGKOK, June 3 (TNA) -- Thai women are free and legally qualified to refer to themselves and be addressed by others, as Ms. or Mrs., regardless of whether or not they are married or divorced.
Under a brand-new law effective from Wednesday -- under the terms of which all Thai women may be either Ms. or Mrs. as they choose, no matter if they are married or divorced.
The Administration Department, accordingly, will put on record either single title of married or divorced women as freely chosen and notified.
However, procedures and laws involving alimony paid to divorced women by their former husbands, and the surnames of children born to married couples as well as other legal obligations remain unchanged. Married couples are legally regarded as one under existing laws. (TNA)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4585
New Mrs. to Miss act receives much popularity amongst Bangkok women
Ladprao Office Registration Head Arisa Hankij (อริษา หาญกิจ) revealed that after a new act allowing women to legally revert to the use of Miss as a prefix to their name despite being married, took effect this morning. It received much attention with over 5 women traveling to change their prefixes at the office already. Mrs. Arisa said that most of the women were divorced.
Further reports showed similar activities at other district offices as well as large amounts of citizens calling to inquire about the new act. All offices however have experienced problems with the process of prefix changing and have forwarded the issue to the Ministry of Interior and are now awaiting an answer.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255106040011&news_headline=New
The Enforcer!
05-06-08, 12:13 AM
New Mrs. to Miss act receives much popularity amongst Bangkok women
I suppose if they are someone's 'Mrs' then they are someone to be 'Miss-ed'!
Sorry - but does it really matter what one's title is? One does not put it in emails, and very few people write actual letters these days.
The Enforcer!
I suppose if they are someone's 'Mrs' then they are someone to be 'Miss-ed'!
Sorry - but does it really matter what one's title is? One does not put it in emails, and very few people write actual letters these days.
The Enforcer!
The impression I get is that many Thai women do think it is significant. Indeed, the change was probably initiated by women politicians with the same 'problem'. I'll have to check on this, but it seems to hinge on the fact that formerly a woman had to use Mrs on any legal form even after divorce.
I read a report yesterday (unfortunately mislaid) which gave two examples of women who were already acting to change their status yesterday. One was about 60 years old and had been divorced for 30 years. The other was married 3 years ago. Her marriage lasted 8 weeks before she decided to get a divorce. This resulted from finding that her 'husband' was already married with a family to support.
The following report suggests that any children do still keep the father's surname after a divorce:
Ms? Mrs? now legally a matter of choice in Thailand
BANGKOK, June 3 (TNA) -- Thai women are free and legally qualified to refer to themselves and be addressed by others, as Ms. or Mrs., regardless of whether or not they are married or divorced.
Under a brand-new law effective from Wednesday -- under the terms of which all Thai women may be either Ms. or Mrs. as they choose, no matter if they are married or divorced.
The Administration Department, accordingly, will put on record either single title of married or divorced women as freely chosen and notified.
However, procedures and laws involving alimony paid to divorced women by their former husbands, and the surnames of children born to married couples as well as other legal obligations remain unchanged. Married couples are legally regarded as one under existing laws. (TNA)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4585
It is a fairly complex situation, although divorce itself doesn't seem to be that difficult. For further example, a married woman will often elect to use Mrs with her original family name.
Like I said before though, theory may just be catching up with practice a bit here. I note that many older women were already writing down Miss or Ms on forms of lesser importance. And I was told on numerous occasions that this was often because they wanted to show their independence from a dysfunctional marriage.
The impression I get is that many Thai women do think it is significant. Indeed, the change was probably initiated by women politicians with the same 'problem'. I'll have to check on this, but it seems to hinge on the fact that formerly a woman had to use Mrs on any legal form even after divorce.
I read a report yesterday (unfortunately mislaid) which gave two examples of women who were already acting to change their status yesterday. One was about 60 years old and had been divorced for 30 years. The other was married 3 years ago. Her marriage lasted 8 weeks before she decided to get a divorce. This resulted from finding that her 'husband' was already married with a family to support.
The following report suggests that any children do still keep the father's surname after a divorce:
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4585
It is a fairly complex situation, although divorce itself doesn't seem to be that difficult. For further example, a married woman will often elect to use Mrs with her original family name.
Like I said before though, theory may just be catching up with practice a bit here. I note that many older women were already writing down Miss or Ms on forms of lesser importance. And I was told on numerous occasions that this was often because they wanted to show their independence from a dysfunctional marriage.
Over 1,000 applicants apply for 'Miss' title as new law comes into affect
BANGKOK, June 5 (TNA) - The first day of a new law allowing women to remain “Miss” after marriage saw over 1,000 women applying for the title.
Bureau of Registration Administration Director Uaychai Innak said, following the Female Title Act 2008 which came into effect on Wednesday, over 1,000 women applied for the new entitlement of “Miss”.
Out of 852 women getting married on Wednesday across the nation, 341 women applied for the title of “Miss”. In other cases 657 women applied to change their “Mrs” title into “Miss”.
The new law has been welcomed with great enthusiasm as it gives more freedom to married women.
“I feel better with the title of “Miss”, especially when applying for jobs. Employers usually discriminate if we are married and burdened with children,” said Phufa Juiputtha. (TNA)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4607
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